Under the Hood
Corey Bridges & Rafhael Cedeno
Game Developers Conference 2008
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What Sets Us Apart
• Complete MMOG technology solution – Server, client, tools, starter assets and sample worlds – Open standards-based technology
• The Multiverse Network – Painless consumer access via Multiverse "World Browser"
– All games and worlds launch in the network
• Use the platform for FREE....no up-front costs
– Develop and deploy for free – 10% revenue share with us – Our success depends on your success
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Virtual Times Square
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Business Collaboration Spaces Mirror Worlds Social Games
Sci-Fi Shooters Fantasy MMORPGs Educational Worlds
Virtual Worlds: Many Different Applications
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• The Multiverse Network – Connects all Multiverse Client "World Browsers" to gameworlds running on Multiverse
servers – Handles consumer registration, authentication, and login – Coming: age verification and billing
• Multiverse World Browser – 3D rendering engine based on OGRE/Axiom – Runs on Windows (XP, Vista) using DirectX – Written in C#; scriptable in Python
• Multiverse Servers – Scalable, distributed plug-in architecture – Run servers on your own system – Written in Java; scriptable in Python – Write server plug-ins in Java – Standard JDBC database backend – MARS: open-source library of plug-ins for mobs, combat, inventory, etc.
• Multiverse Tools – World Editor, Terrain Generator, and Model Viewer
– Conversion tools for 3ds, Maya, Blender, etc.
The Multiverse Platform
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The Multiverse Network
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The Multiverse World Architecture
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• Next-gen 3D graphics rendering engine with complete fallbacks
• Shaders can be written in Cg or HLSL with compositor framework • Python scripting API (animations, lights, camera, etc)• Powerful material and particle script capabilities• Skeletal animation, morphs, and animation blending• Robust networking infrastructure (TCP and UDP available)• International Language support
• FMOD for leading audio solution
• Web browser integration
• Movies and Flash (YouTube)
Next Release • Free VOIP: 3D positional & channels
The Multiverse World Browser
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UI is often underestimated
• XML-based UI widget set
• Python-based event handling
• Character creation and selection framework
• Python scripting API provides access to virtually all aspects of the Client
• Pre-coded customizable UI components / examples – minimap – chat window – help window – Backpack
• HTML and Flash UI support
Client UI Customization
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• Scalable, flexible, and extensible
• Java based, runs on Linux, Windows XP/Vista, Mac• Modular plug-in architecture for customization and extensibility
– Infrastructure plug-ins: Provide basic services – MARS plug-ins: provide world-specific gameplay functions
• Python as extension language• Runs on any Database supporting JDBC (eg: MySQL)
• 2000 concurrent users per server (depends on world)
• Easily runs on hosted solutions such as Amazon’s EC2
• Plug-ins communicate via publish/subscribe messaging system
Next Release• Instancing (dynamic, distributed, and shared)
Multiverse Servers
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• Message Server / Registry
– Enables communication among servers – Works with distributed servers
• Login Manager – Handles user login and character creation
• Proxy Server – Handles communication with the client
• World Manager
– Controls geography and perception
• Object Manager
– Manages persistent data (inventory and mob info)
• World Reader – Reads a world file created by Multiverse World Editor
Multiverse Server Infrastructure Plug-Ins
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• What's MARS? "Multiverse Agnostic Rules System"
• Combat plug-in: controls combat • Mob plug-in: controls mobs and quests • Inventory and trading plug-in • Physics plug-in
MARS Server Plug-Ins
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• Art pipeline conversion tools
– Convert from popular modeling tools (3ds Max, Maya, SketchUp, Blender, etc.)
– COLLADA intermediate format – Plugins available for 3D development tools
• Import tool brings in Collada files into Multiverse format• Model Viewer displays 3D models and animations
• Terrain Generator creates world terrain
• World Editor places static models in world, sets world properties
Multiverse Tools: Overview
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• View models converted to Multiverse format Bones
• Sockets • Animations • Submeshes • Lighting conditions:
– Ambient, diffuse, specular light color – Light Direction
Multiverse Tools: Model Viewer
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• Creates a world topography
• Fractal topography based on a seed heightmap • Heightmap terrain from L3DT, PnP TerrainCreator, other tools
Multiverse Tools: Terrain Generator
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• Set World properties
– Skybox, ocean attributes, fog, ambient & directional light, etc.
• Place and manage: – Static objects such as buildings,
walls / fences, props, etc. – Bodies of water, fog regions
– Point sounds, ambient sound regions
– Spawn generator points / regions
– Forests, trees, vegetation
– Roads and other features such as point lights, particle effects, terrain decals
Multiverse Tools: World Editor
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One app for:• Assets Management,• Model Viewing,• Level Editing
Tools: Coming Up
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Toolbox can
preview entire
world
Tools: Coming Up
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• Multiverse provides a complete MMOG technology platform
– Scalable, high-performance Java server suite – State-of-the art graphical client – Tools suite – Comprehensive documentation
• No up-front cost • Vibrant, growing community: over 18,000 developer teams
Conclusion
What world will you build?